GAME REPORT

Mons Rally To Beat Paris In Overtime

Quincy Taylor led scoring in Paris as Mons-Hainaut held on for a memorable overtime victory

Mons-Hainaut topped Paris Levellois 86-84 in overtime to claim a big road win in Group E of the EuroChallenge.

After a back-and-forth encounter, Mons-Hainaut scored the final four points of regulation to force the extra period and then made their hosts pay with a big finish.

Paris dominated the early proceedings, and led 40-27 midway through the second quarter when Sean May nailed a three-pointer.

But Mons-Hainaut responded with a 12-1 run to cut the gap to one at half-time following threes from Guy Muya and Joshua Bostic, and the pattern was set for a close second half.

Paris held the lead for much of the way, but never by more than a few points, and the 71-67 edge given to them by Maleye Ndoye's free throws with 2:18 left was not enough to finish off the visitors.

Jonathan Wallace got two back from the free throw line and then, after Brian Qvale got a big block to deny Jawad Williams a lay-up, Muya tied it with 18 seconds left.

Andrew Albicy had one more chance to win it for Paris in regulation but came up empty as the game went to overtime.

Again Paris started strong, quick baskets from May and Williams putting them up 75-71 before Mons-Hainaut came back.

The Belgians made their move with a 6-0 run turning a 78-76 deficit into a four-point lead with 14 seconds left.

May sliced that gap with a three-pointer but Bostic responded with two free throws and, after an Antoine Diot turnover, Monwell Randle added two more to make it 86-81 with five seconds left.Ndoye had a late three for Paris, but it was to no avail with time running out.

May continued his excellent form with 22 points for Paris, with Albicy adding 21, Williams 12 and Ndoye 10.

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Paris Levallois vs. Mons-Hainaut

Paris guard Antoine Diot"We had the game between our hands in the first half. After, we played too relaxed and Mons stayed focused. They took the lead but at the end of the game, we had the chance to take it back. We did it in the French league this week-end but we can't do that every time. We need to act not always react !"

Christophe Denis, coach Paris Levallois"It's a good thing to have a good start but it's always better to have a strong finish. We must recognize that Mons did what they needed to do to win. They played a good game and we cannot say other things! They deserve the victory."

Mons-Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne"We were on a three-game losing streak so we were unconfident at the begining but we're very proud of our game. It's one of the best teams in the competition and we did it. A good thing."

Mons player Quincy Taylor "We are very happy to win here in Paris. We won the game in defense and for our fans. They made a long trip for us and we wanted to show them that they're precious to us and to thank them with these victory."

COACH QUOTES

Quotes Paris Levallois vs. Mons-Hainaut

Paris guard Antoine Diot"We had the game between our hands in the first half. After, we played too relaxed and Mons stayed focused. They took the lead but at the end of the game, we had the chance to take it back. We did it in the French league this week-end but we can't do that every time. We need to act not always react !"

Christophe Denis, coach Paris Levallois"It's a good thing to have a good start but it's always better to have a strong finish. We must recognize that Mons did what they needed to do to win. They played a good game and we cannot say other things! They deserve the victory."

Mons-Hainaut head coach Yves Defraigne"We were on a three-game losing streak so we were unconfident at the begining but we're very proud of our game. It's one of the best teams in the competition and we did it. A good thing."

Mons player Quincy Taylor "We are very happy to win here in Paris. We won the game in defense and for our fans. They made a long trip for us and we wanted to show them that they're precious to us and to thank them with these victory."